“I disagree… Shepherd’s treatment of you has been appalling, negligent in the gravest of ways.” Solemn, Senator Kantor denied her. “If we move prematurely, he might release the contagion. I cannot risk millions of lives, your life, on a maybe. I’m sorry, Claire. Until the Red Consumption’s location is uncovered, the resistance will make no move.”

The line of Claire’s mouth grew sharp. Sitting taller, she looked at both of them as if they were simpletons. “It’s not the contagion that keeps us in his power. It’s our own cowardice. Every day our people do nothing, the bastard is proving his view of our behavior is correct. The Dome is cracked. Don’t you see the weather will kill us long before any virus might? We have to take back our city, or we die trying.”

Senator Kantor put a hand on the Omega’s shoulder. “Thólos’ citizens are not soldiers. They’re scared and have no comprehension of combat. You must understand; many are watching their families suffer, their children are dying.”

Claire shook her head, swallowed her outburst. “No one in this city is a civilian anymore, there is no neutral. Either you are with Shepherd, or you are against him.”

“It isn’t that simple, Claire.”

She looked to Senator Kantor, lost. “Isn’t it?”

A deep sigh preceded Senator Kantor’s explanation. “You are still young and will learn in time that things are not always as they seem.”

Claire cocked her head, her previously glowing image of so highly regarded a Senator distorted by the sad impotence of such a man. “Shepherd once told me the same thing… You just echoed the words of a madman.”

Senator Kantor offered a conciliatory smile, his look of pity disarming. “I’m asking you to trust me.”

Corday understood what riled her; bone deep, he felt the same away. “We make progress every day, Claire. I swear it to you.”

Claire looked to her friend and could see he had faith in the Alpha charged to lead the rebellion.

“I understand.” And she did. She understood that the longer they waited, the more people would die—that the world was a nightmare where the men and women who’d once sworn to uphold the law might hand her back to a despot for food that would only last so long.

She understood perfectly.

She hurt; everyone hurt. And it had to end.

Once Senator Kantor had left, Corday took her hand, and led her back to the couch to rest. When he had her to himself, Corday smiled and pulled a gift out of his pocket.

“I have something to cheer you up.” The Enforcer, his face dimpled, held up what was pinched between his fingers. “A few weeks ago I went to your residence. Everything was pretty smashed up, but I found this hidden under the lining of your jewelry box.”

He slid a band of gold on her finger.